From 1997 to 2015 (18 years), summing up above chart in the straits times link, there is a surplus of S$49B.

From above chart and explanation since 2001, Govt locked away at least ½ of the dividends and income from past reserves. The above chart showed the reserves saved. Summing above returns of reserves from 2000 to 2015, total is S$80B. There are no figures on reserves locked away from 1997 to 1999. But to be conservative, let’s assume that there are no reserves from returns due to the Asian Financial Crisis.

1965 to 1996 (31 years), there is no data except for estimates done as reflected from the Straits Times article above. Red line is spending and blue line is revenue.

1965 to 1974 – Estimates is that we breakeven and no reserves.

1975 to 1989 - Budget deficit, as these are the years we built the economy and our nation. We built houses, defence, infrastructure, MRTs, etc. Singapore borrowed heavily during these years. From below chart maybe ~ 20B deficits.

1990 to 1997 – Assume ~20B surplus. This is the golden period for Singapore as we saw huge surge of foreign capital, which are reason why Singapore did so well after the Asian Financial Crisis.

Meaning prior to 1997, actually our reserves are more or less cancelled out.

CONSOLIDATED

2020 = estimated deficits of S$15B

2016 to 2019 = 17.4

1997 to 2015 = 130

1965 to 1996 = 0

Total = S$150B.

However this does not take into Ex.rate of SGD and USD over the years, where there is at least 30% appreciation over the years. So it probably translates to an estimates of our reserves to S$200 Billions before year 2020.

Singapore holds a very high net debt 113% of GDP as of 2018. This I also verified from data in MAS website. In fact our GROSS DEBT IS USD1.77 trillions or S$2.5 Trillions as of End 2016.

However in Ministry of Finance website, it also explains why we have high debt. Refer link here with explanation as below.

As a major financial centre, Singapore receives large inflow of capital from overseas and a substantial portion of this money is deposited with its banks. This is recorded as external liabilities or borrowings. That means that much of the so-called gross debts reflected in the Wiki article are, in fact, deposits kept in Singapore banks by overseas banks and depositors.

This money is then recycled by the banks to lend to big overseas borrowers when they take up loans from Singapore-based lenders. Once that happens, it becomes part of Singapore's external assets.

What is important to note that in the domestic loans market, Singapore banks are able to attract sufficient deposits from local depositors to support their lending to local companies and households.

That ensures that these lenders do not have to resort to borrowing overseas in order to lend to resident borrowers. This will help to insulate Singapore from any financial fall-out if the world banking system suddenly faces a credit crunch, making it difficult for banks to borrow on the international financial markets to fund their borrowing needs.

Taken as a whole, both the public and private sectors in Singapore are net creditors with a strong net asset position equivalent to around 200 per cent of its gross domestic products in its international investments.

Hence a fair estimates of Singapore reserves is in SGD 200 to 400 Billions range.

Singapore reserves is definitely not in trillions. In fact, what we achieve to date is extremely commendable for a nation with a mere 55 years of history.

Singapore has one of the highest debts in the world of 1.77 trillions USD recorded end 2016. This is not because we are poor, but because as a country, we have huge capital inflows into our banks due to stability and good credit ratings. And these inflows are recorded as liability. In general, Singapore are net creditors both in public and private sectors.

During the 2020 covid-19 crisis, as of Mid Apr, we had drawn down S$21B from past reserves. Singapore will likely record a deficit of estimated of S$15B this year, the largest ever deficit since independence.

This S$59.9B stimulus budget and S$21B drawn from past reserves is definitely not small money. It is 12% of our GDP, and likely 10% of our reserves.

While we are not in a good position this year having drawn significantly into our reserves, but I believe it is still a decent call from the government thus far.

The worst case scenario will be if we require lock down for another few more months, or there are new waves of infections after we re-opened economy. Imagine it is only two months into the crisis now, and we already spent 60B. What if locked down last for few months to even one year collectively over the near future.

Question will then be if Singapore government will once again from our reserves tens of billions or even up to hundred billions.

That said, if one country that can pull through this crisis, it is Singapore. If Singapore cannot pull through the crisis, then the world will probably end up in Depression. Let us pray and hope that Great Depression 2.0 will not happen.

Agree and already took that into consideration. Those are the returns per year already mentioned in above charts and it is S$80B (only 50%) from year 2000 to 2015. Meaning the returns taking into consideration is S$160B. For GIC and Temasek to gets returns (in dividends or sale of assets) S$160B for 15 years is also quite substantial on average.

Some of the returns were also used.

In accounting terms, net assets are not reserve, but more how much you are worth or called equity. So it is different.

So using this metric, only calculated reserve as S$200B. But if like what you said, there can be more (we do not know) from CPF also etc (which is used by GIC), hence S$400B, which is another S$200B can be upper ceiling as reflected in our MAS website. So it is logical.

I agree that most of us think we Singapore is very rich. And frankly $200-400B is already very rich for our short history.

it is the President's job to look after the national reserve. And the President needs to know how much reserve there are in the first place. Only one man tried to find out about our reserve so far. That's the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong

Here you have told about Singapore and finding the richest person there but I must tell you one thing in Singapore hiring a maid from the best maid agency singapore is really very tough. Because if you are not well settled then you can not afford them easily. Only richest person can afford them but do you know there are some places like universal who can provide you the best and highly experienced maid just at a reasonable cost.

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This blog and its contents contain the opinions and views of me. It is not a recommendation to purchase or sell the stocks of any of the companies or investments herein discussed. If a reader requires expert financial advice, a competent professional should be consulted. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein the blog and its contents. Other than being the shareholders of some of the stocks discussed herein at the time of writing, I am not in any way related to the company mentioned within the blog. I specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, professional or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any contents of this blog.